About The BirthBliss Doula Academy
The BirthBliss Doula Academy was founded in 2012 to provide birth and postnatal doula training that prepares aspiring doulas for the realities of supporting families.
Since then, more than 1,500 birth and postnatal doulas have trained with Kicki Hansard in the UK and internationally. Some now support families within their local communities, while others have gone on to teach, mentor, write, establish their own organisations and contribute to maternity care in different ways.
Although education remains at the heart of BirthBliss, the Academy now supports doulas beyond their initial training. Alongside its birth and postnatal doula courses, BirthBliss offers certification pathways, mentoring, continuing professional development, professional resources and The Doula Directory, supporting doulas from the beginning of their training through to a professional business.
BirthBliss was created to provide education that combines sound knowledge with practical experience and thoughtful preparation for the realities of doula work. Understanding pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period is important. So are communication, professional boundaries, reflective practice and knowing when to step forward and when to step back.
The Academy prepares birth and postnatal doulas to work alongside NHS and independent maternity services, providing emotional, practical and informational support while remaining firmly within the non-clinical scope of the doula role.
Doula work is not a regulated healthcare profession in the UK and there is no legal requirement to complete formal training before describing yourself as a doula. BirthBliss provides professional doula education for people who want to develop the knowledge, practical skills and professional judgement needed to support families safely and confidently.
Our story
The BirthBliss Doula Academy grew from many years of supporting families and training doulas.
After working as both a professional doula and a trainer, Kicki Hansard wanted to create a course that reflected the realities of the role, rather than an idealised version of it. The Academy was established in 2012 and has continued to develop through experience, research, graduate feedback and changes within maternity care.
Although the Academy has grown, some things have remained unchanged. Courses are deliberately kept small. Students are encouraged to think critically rather than memorise answers and support continues after the course for those who choose certification or ongoing professional development.
BirthBliss by numbers
Rather than measuring success only by how many courses have been delivered, we prefer to look at the work our graduates are doing.
2012
Founded
1,500+
Doulas trained
2005
Teaching since
2002
Doula business since
4 countries
In-person course taught in the UK, Ireland, China and Australia
8
Maximum of participants on each in-person course
147
Online lessons
12+
Hours of teaching videos
What we offer
The Academy provides several ways to begin and continue your development as a doula.
The BirthBliss Approach
Every doula training organisation has its own way of teaching.
At BirthBliss, knowledge and practical skills are important, although they are only part of becoming a doula.
Our courses encourage students to ask questions, examine evidence, reflect on their own experiences and develop the confidence to make thoughtful decisions rather than relying on fixed answers.
Alongside physiology and maternity care, students explore communication, professional boundaries, safeguarding, trauma awareness, reflective practice and the practical realities of running a doula business.
This way of thinking sits at the heart of The BirthBliss Way and the BirthBliss Compass.
The people behind The BirthBliss Doula Academy
BirthBliss is led by a small team with many years of experience in doula work, education and mentoring.
Kicki Hansard
Founder & Lead Trainer
Doula since 2002, trainer since 2005, Academy founded 2012. Still facilitates in-person training and final certification decisions. She is the author of The Secrets of Birth, Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse Through Pregnancy and Childbirth and contributed to The Roar Behind the Silence.
Siobhan Smith
Head of Certification
Doula since 2011. Leads certification, matches coaches, Expert by Experience at the University of Hertfordshire.
Melly
Head of Work-Life Balance
Melly joined the Academy in 2021 and has become an unofficial member of the team, reminding everyone that stepping away from the computer is often a good idea.
Professional connections
BirthBliss works alongside a number of organisations within maternity care and parent support. Some independently accredit or approve our training. Others are professional memberships or organisations we are proud to work with. Together, they help keep BirthBliss connected to developments across pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Accreditation
FEDANT
Independent accreditation of the BirthBliss Doula Academy.
Course approval
The Doula Association of Ireland
Approved BirthBliss course.
Professional memberships
European Doula Network
Connecting doulas across Europe.
AIMS
Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services.
Birthlight
Promoting evidence-informed approaches to pregnancy, birth and early parenting.
Partnerships
The Happy Baby Community
Working together to support parents and professionals.
Birth Trauma Association
Supporting awareness and understanding of birth trauma.
Registrations
UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP)
BirthBliss is registered with the UK Register of Learning Providers.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
BirthBliss is registered as a learning provider with the Department for Work and Pensions.
These accreditations, approvals, memberships, partnerships and registrations reflect our commitment to remaining connected with the wider maternity community while continuing to provide thoughtful, evidence-informed doula education.
Previously a Doula UK Approved Course
The BirthBliss Doula Academy was a Doula UK Approved Course for many years. In 2026, Kicki chose to leave Doula UK following concerns about the organisation's governance and direction.
Beyond the classroom
The Academy's work extends beyond teaching courses.
During the COVID 19 pandemic, BirthBliss launched the #ButNotMaternity campaign, bringing together organisations and individuals calling for proportionate restrictions within maternity services.
BirthBliss also publishes the Maternity Care Report, inviting doulas from every training background to contribute anonymous observations from the births they attend.
The aim is to help build a broader picture of maternity care through the experiences of those supporting families every day.
The Academy also contributes through books, articles, research, public speaking and collaboration with organisations working to improve maternity care.
Who trains with us
People come to BirthBliss from many different backgrounds.
Some are changing career. Some already work in maternity services, education or other caring professions. Others simply feel drawn to supporting families and want to understand what the role involves.
There is no single type of doula and we believe that diversity within the profession benefits the families who use doula support.
If you are still deciding, you are welcome to join a free taster session or read the course curriculum in your own time.
After the course
Completing a course is the beginning of the journey rather than the end of learning.
Some graduates choose to move directly into doula work. Others continue through the BirthBliss Certification Programme, or return for mentoring, study days and continuing professional development as their experience grows.
Our aim is not only to prepare doulas for their first client, but to help them build a sustainable and rewarding career over many years.
Where to go next
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